A Room in Timon's House.
 Music. Tables set out.
 Enter divers FRIENDS of Timon at several doors.

1st Friend	The good time of day to you, sir.

2nd Friend	I also wish it to you. I think this honourable lord did but 
	try us this other day.

1st Friend	Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered. I 
	hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the 
	trial of his several friends.

2nd Friend	It should not be, by the persuasion of his new feasting.

1st Friend	I should think so. He hath sent me an earnest inviting, 
	which many my near occasions did urge me to put off; but he 
	hath conjured me beyond them, and I must needs appear.

2nd Friend	In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business, 
	but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry, when he sent 
	to borrow of me, that my provision was out.

1st Friend	I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how all things 
	go.

2nd Friend	Every man here's so. What would he have borrowed of you?

1st Friend	A thousand pieces.

2nd Friend	A thousand pieces!

1st Friend	What of you?

2nd Friend	He sent to me, sir - Here he comes.

                       Enter TIMON and ATTENDANTS.

Timon	With all my heart, gentlemen both! And how fare you?

1st Friend	Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.

2nd Friend	The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your 
	lordship.

Timon	[Aside.] Nor more willingly leaves winter, such summer 
	birds are men. [Aloud.] Gentlemen, our dinner will not 
	recompense this long stay. Feast your ears with the music a 
	while, if they will fare so harshly o'th' trumpet's sound; 
	we shall to't presently.

1st Friend	I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that I 
	returned you an empty messenger.

Timon	O sir, let it not trouble you.

2nd Friend	My noble lord-

Timon	Ah, my good friend, what cheer?

2nd Friend	My most honourable lord, I am e'en sick of shame that when 
	your lordship this other day sent to me I was so 
	unfortunate a beggar.

Timon	Think not on't, sir.

2nd Friend	If you had sent but two hours before.

Timon	Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
										[The banquet brought in.
	Come, bring in all together.

2nd Friend	All covered dishes.

1st Friend	Royal cheer, I warrant you.

3rd Friend	Doubt not that, if money and the season can yield it.

1st Friend	How do you? What's the news?

3rd Friend	Alcibiades is banished; hear you of it?

1st &
2nd Friends	Alcibiades banished!

3rd Friend	'Tis so, be sure of it.

1st Friend	How? How?

2nd Friend	I pray you, upon what?

Timon	My worthy friends, will you draw near?

3rd Friend	I'll tell you more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.

2nd Friend	This is the old man still.

3rd Friend	Will't hold? Will't hold?

2nd Friend	It does; but time will - and so-

3rd Friend	I do conceive.

Timon	Each man to his stool with that spur as he would to the lip 
	of his mistress. Your diet shall be in all places alike. 
	Make not a city feast of it, to let the meat cool ere we 
	can agree upon the first place. Sit, sit. The gods require 
	our thanks.

	You great benefactors, sprinkle our society with 
	thankfulness. For your own gifts make yourselves praised; 
	but reserve still to give, lest your deities be despised. 
	Lend to each man enough that one need not lend to another; 
	for were your godheads to borrow of men, men would forsake 
	the gods. Make the meat be beloved more than the man that 
	gives it. Let no assembly of twenty be without a score of 
	villains. If there sit twelve women at the table, let a 
	dozen of them be as they are. The rest of your fees, O gods 
	- the senators of Athens, together with the common leg of 
	people - what is amiss in them, you gods make suitable for 
	destruction. For these my present friends, as they are to 
	me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing are 
	they welcome.

	Uncover, dogs, and lap.
					   [The dishes are uncovered, and seen to be
								  full of warm water and stones.
Some Friends	What does his lordship mean?

Other Friends	I know not.

Timon	May you a better feast never behold,
	You knot of mouth-friends! Smoke and lukewarm water
	Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
	Who, stuck and spangled with your flatteries,
	Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
	Your reeking villainy.
							   [Throws the water in their faces.

							Live loathed and long,
	Most smiling, smooth, detested parasites,
	Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
	You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time's flies,
	Cap-and-knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!
	Of man and beast the infinite malady
	Crust you quite o'er! What, dost thou go?
									   [Throwing stones at them.
	Soft, take thy physic first - thou too - and thou.
													[Driving them out.
	Stay, I will lend thee money, borrow none.
	What, all in motion? Henceforth be no feast
	Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
	Burn, house! Sink, Athens! Henceforth hated be
	Of Timon man and all humanity!
													[Exit.
                          Re-enter the FRIENDS.

1st Friend	How now, my lords!

2nd Friend	Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury?

3rd Friend	Push! - did you see my cap?

4th Friend	I have lost my gown.

1st Friend	He's but a mad lord, and nought but humours sways him. He 
	gave me a jewel th'other day, and now he has beat it out of 
	my hat. Did you see my jewel?

3rd Friend	Did you see my cap?

2nd Friend	Here 'tis.

4th Friend	Here lies my gown.

1st Friend	Let's make no stay.

2nd Friend	Lord Timon's mad.

3rd Friend						I feel't upon my bones.

4th Friend	One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.
													[Exeunt.
